F# is a functional programming language that can now be used across platforms like Mac and Linux through the MonoDevelop IDE and F# add-in. This provides IntelliSense and an interactive environment for F#. The presentation demonstrated how F# can be used in academia for teaching functional programming, processing scientific data, and programming language research. Universities are encouraged to use F# for classes on programming concepts and data analysis or statistics work.

1. Cambridge, MA
November 5, 2010
F# in Education
Workshop
F# in Academia
Going cross-platform with F# for MonoDevelop
Tomas Petricek
tomas@tomasp.net
http://tomasp.net/blog

2. F# doesn’t work
on Mac & Linux

3. F# doesn’t work well
on Mac & Linux

4. F# developer tools don’t work
on Mac & Linux

5. F# has great developer tools
on Mac & Linux
Introducing F# add-in
for MonoDevelop

6. F# in Academia
• Good cross-platform developer tools for F#
– Using cross-platform MonoDevelop IDE for Mono
– F# add-in provides IntelliSense and F# interactive
– Not aimed at large-scale business applications
• Demonstration – how can universities use F#?
– Teaching (functional) programming
– For statistics and data analysis
– Functional programming research

7. Teaching (functional)
programming with F#

8. F# for Teaching
• F# is a great language for teaching
– Practical functional programming
– Programming language concepts and principles
– Introducing computer programming
• Introduction to (functional) programming
– Solid and useful mathematical foundations
– Gives students practical experience
– Intriguing examples are a great motivation

9. Composing 3D objects in a
functional way
Demonstration

10. Processing scientific
data with F#

11. F# for Data Processing
• What makes F# great for working with data?
– Productive and efficient language
– F# Interactive environment
– Useful features such as units of measure
• Many scientists use F# already
– Genome sequencing, Machine learning
– Can be used on multiple platforms now…

12. Downloading and
analyzing stock data
Demonstration

13. Programming language
research with F#

14. F# for Language Research
• Building the open-source version of F#
– Release contains command line tools
– Integrates into MonoDevelop with no effort
– Auto-completion & tool-tips “just work”
• Examples of existing F# extensions
– Joinads: Language extension for reactive,
concurrent and parallel programming
– F7: Refinement Types for F#

15. Adding “joinads” to
F# in MonoDevelop
Demonstration

16. Functional Variations & Teaching
• Web sites for F# in Academia
– Teaching, Working, Research
– Home for the MonoDevelop plug-in
– Personal community project
• If you’re interested, please get in touch!
• Two addresses to remember
www.functional-teaching.net
www.functional-variations.net

17. Summary
• F# is a great language for Academia
– Consistent cross-platform feel with MonoDevelop
– Lightweight, but with all modern features
• Uses of F# in Academia
– Teaching (functional) programming
– Data analysis and statistics
– Programming language research

18. Links
Contact: Tomas Petricek
Mail: tomas@tomasp.net
Web: http://tomasp.net/blog
Get involved!
http://functional-variations.net
http://functional-teaching.net